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Latest post Wed, Nov 11 2009 1:05 AM by Anonymous. 10 replies.
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Guest  +  10012 Mon, 06 Oct 03 05:11 PM
the proper spelling of thank yous (plural)
wumanfu  +  10022 Mon, 06 Oct 03 08:30 PM
May I answer a question with a question? How does one thank the Queen of England? But to add some humor to my response, Australians often use a plural thank you; how it’s spelt, I wouldn’t have a clue!


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Raul  +  10039 Mon, 06 Oct 03 11:37 PM
Remember that the expresion comes from a verbal form, so the noun has to be hyphenated.
So, one "thank-you" or several "thank-you's" (because of the compound form).
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wumanfu  +  10057 Tue, 07 Oct 03 05:58 AM

“Remember that the expresion comes from a verbal form, so the noun has to be hyphenated.
So, one "thank-you" or several "thank-you's" (because of the compound form).”

Hi Raul
Thanks for answering this one. Actually, I misunderstood the question. Anyway, I checked the dictionary to satisfy my curiosity.

thank-you - Merriam-Webster Unabridged
Main Entry: thank-you
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): -s
Etymology: from the phrase thank you
: a polite expression of one's gratitude as by saying "thank you"

Apparently, the Yankee spelling is thank-yous. So, a million thank-yous to the organizers of English Forums for my chance to say hello to you in this post.

moijelesuis  +  10127 Wed, 08 Oct 03 03:20 AM
i would probably just say "a million thanks" ... some people refer to a thank you note as simple a "thank-you" (hyphenated, maybe...). so a bride may say, "i have yet to send out my thank-yous for all the gifts we received"
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Anonymous, 2 yr 15 days ago

Another opinion...

From the Gregg Reference Manual:

When words taken from other parts of speech are used as nouns, they are usually pluralized by the addition of s or es.

Ifs, ands, or buts

Dos and don’ts

Yeses and nos

Ins and outs

Ups and downs

Yeas and nays

Pros and cons

Whereabouts

Whys and wherefores

Haves and havenots

 

If the pluralized form is unfamiliar or likely to be misread, use and apostrophe plus s to form the plural.

Which’s and wherefores

Or’s and nor’s

 

The Elements of Grammar, however, notes that nouns ending in vowel sounds could have an apostrophe added, as can plural reference to letters

A’s and b’s

Dot your I’s and cross your t’s

 

Do’s and don’ts

Oh’s and ah’s

 

Thank you, to me, ends in a vowel sound, so I vote for adding the apostrophe.

Let us, however, eschew the addition of an apostrophe with numbers and dates.

1990s

1800s

The 60s

Lucky 7s or sevens

 

Thank you’s to all.

PL

Anonymous, 1 yr 320 days ago

But how do you spell 'Thanks'?  I have just read it on a Thank-you card spelt 'Thank's' (with the apostrophe).  Is this correct?

MrPedantic  +  461586 Mon, 07 Jan 08 09:35 PM

But how do you spell 'Thanks'?  I have just read it on a Thank-you card spelt 'Thank's' (with the apostrophe).  Is this correct?

Not even remotely correct, Anon! No apostrophe is required.

All the best,

MrP

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Anonymous, 89 days ago

Hi..i was quite intrigued by the discussion going on about the use of the phrase "thank you"....anyhow, my question to all of you is that my sister-in-law is a Psychiatrist and I always hear her say "thanks so much" for everything she wants to express her gratitude for....As I am rabidly obsessed with perfecting my own & others' english as well.....So, I was wondering that the use of the word "much" with a plural like "thanks" in this case; is incorrect  because "much" is an adjective of quantity.... and can not be used in conjunction with a plural "thanks"....So, now to end the debate...Is this phrase correct or not? You can not imagine how much thought I have been giving to it so all answers would be much appreciated

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